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Rosie Perez embarrassed after jumping the line to meet Barack Obama

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“Do the Right Thing” starring Spike Lee and Rosie Perez played a key role in the early love story of former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama.

Barack, 63, first met 60-year-old Michelle in 1989, the same 12 months “Do the Right Thing” hit American theaters.

The future First Family’s first date included watching a movie distributed by Universal Pictures.

Perez, 60, played Tina in the critically acclaimed comedy-drama which the first family saw on their first date. Lee, 67, played the lead role of Mookie. He also served as a director, screenwriter and producer.

During a recent appearance on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” Perez opened up about a clumsy conversation she had with Barack about her debut acting gig.

‘Do the Right Thing’ star Rosie Perez recalls making an embarrassing comment during her first meeting with then-US Senator Barack Obama. (Photo: rosieperezbrooklyn/Instagram; barackobama/Instagram)

The former “In Living Color” choreographer met the Democratic politician when he was still a U.S. senator from Illinois from 2004 to 2008.

“I assumed, ‘Senator, senator, senator, hello. I’m a giant fan of yours. And he said, “I’m a big fan of yours too.” I said, “Do you know who I am?” And he said, ‘Yes, Michelle and I, on our first date we saw ‘Do the Right Thing,'” Perez recalled.

The Brooklyn, New York resident continued, “I assumed, ‘Oh my God, have you ever seen my boobs?!’ I felt very ashamed. He said, “Yes, we did.” And then he asked me to campaign for him. It was wonderful.”

Rosie and Barack’s first interaction was when the actress received the Medallion of Excellence for Leadership and Community Service from Spanish Congress Club in 2008.

In 2015, Perez also told the story of first meeting Obama during an interview for the PBS documentary “American Masters: The Women’s List.” Perez also shared how she landed the role in “Do the Right Thing.”

“I met Spike Lee at a nightclub and we had an argument because he was having a butt contest in the nightclub to see which black woman could have the biggest A,” Perez said in an excerpt from the documentary.

“I found it terrifying,” she continued. “So I jumped on stage to make fun of the whole situation. The bouncer got here and took me off and took me to Spike Lee.

According to Perez, her future co-star considered that moment in the club as “fate” and expressed her desire to forged her in one in every of his movies. She credits the filmmaker with helping change the perception of her destiny.

The Obamas also admitted that Lee’s third feature film influenced their future. In 2014, Barack and Michelle praised the director in a video message during the twenty fifth anniversary celebration of “Do the Right Thing” held at the County Museum of Art in Los Angeles.

“He tried to show me his sophisticated side by choosing an independent filmmaker, and it ended up being quite a good movie – really great!” As reported by the website: Michelle said that Barack took her to a movie Hollywood reporter.

Barack chimed in, “So Spike, thank you for helping me impress Michelle, and thank you for telling a touching story. Today I have a few more gray hairs than in 1989. You don’t look like Mookie anymore. “However, ‘Do the Right Thing’ continues to hold a mirror to our society, make us laugh, make us think, and challenge us all to see ourselves in each other.”

“Do the Right Thing” received two Oscar nominations. Lee won for Best Original Screenplay, and Danny Aiello won for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Sal.

In addition to Lee, Perez and Aiello, the forged of “Do the Right Thing” also includes Ossie Davis, Ruby Dee, Richard Edson, Giancarlo Esposito, John Turturro, Samuel L. Jackson and Martin Lawrence.

Perez endorsed Obama in the 2008 presidential race against his Republican opponent, Arizona Sen. John McCain. She too he campaigned for him in Florida. Obama won the state’s 27 Electoral College votes and have become president.

After Obama won in 2008, Perez served Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS. PACHA members provided advice, information and proposals to the Obama administration on domestic and global HIV/AIDS policy issues.

“Today I’m pleased that a brand new group of experts has joined PACHA; and I look forward to hearing from the Council about our ongoing efforts to prevent the spread of HIV infection in the United States and to provide care and treatment for people living with HIV/AIDS around the world,” President Obama said in response to the company’s creation ARMPIT.

Perez later became a political pundit on television as a daily co-host on the 18th season of “The View.” She recalled leaving the ABC daytime talk show in 2015 as: “bittersweet.”

This article was originally published on : atlantablackstar.com
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MAGA chaos breaks out as Trump supporters turn on each other to rush to Kamala Harris’ defense after election loss

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Kamala Harris lost the 2024 presidential election, but she didn’t lose her smile.

On social media platforms, legions of supporters of the Democratic vp have spent the following 4 years struggling under the load of disappointment and, for some, fatigue in a rustic led by Donald Trump, her Republican opponent.

His inauguration on January 20, 2025 will mark an unprecedented return, provided that the last 4 years since he left the White House in 2016 have been marked by lawsuits and criminal convictions.

In her November 6 concession speech, Kamala admitted that the end result of the race was not what she expected, but she never seemed dismayed by the political turmoil, only much more invigorated to fight for the soul of America and its democracy.

Fans now know that she took the defeat in stride and wasn’t even in a rush to reunite along with her family after three months of an arduous campaign. On November 10, Meena Harris, Kamala’s niece, shared two shutter showing a public official having fun with a game night along with her great-grandchildren Amara and Leela, Meena’s daughters.

Kamala Harris defended by Donald Trump supporters after critics focused on her while drinking a glass of wine during family game night. (Photo / s: Meena/Instagram.)

“Back to where it began just a number of months ago. My everlasting gratitude to everyone who showed up. We love her very much,” wrote the author of “The Truth About Mrs. Claus” within the caption. The post received hundreds of likes and countless comments.

One follower graciously wrote, “Hold her for us, hug her for us, THANK HER FOR US. We are all very proud.” And one other said: “It’s so bittersweet, but I’m so glad he can experience that kind of love and joy again.”

The photos were also distributed on X, where they managed to construct a following of fans sparring between Harris and Trump, something neither candidate had managed to do with their message of a united country.

In the photos, the previous district attorney wore a Howard University sweatshirt and black pants, and her signature silk press was clipped into her hair. She laughed open-mouthed as she sat on the ground and played Connect Four along with her nieces.

But on the app run by Elon Musk, people zoomed in and noticed that Kamala had a glass of white wine next to her. The tech billionaire bought Twitter in 2022 and has since modified its name to X. The platform has turn into a hotbed of controversial support for Trump, with Musk being one in every of the struggling politician’s leading supporters.

The MAGA-affiliated coverage apparently tried to use the drink to discredit Kamala. They wrote, “OF COURSE,” as the red arrow drew attention to otherwise unnoticed glass on the ground.

But as an alternative of triggering a flood of replies demeaning Kamala, it prompted users to defend her despite their political beliefs.

“Seriously, this is giving Republicans a bad name. It’s not bad for someone to have a glass of wine” – person he tweeted. Second commentator he said“I voted for Trump. This looks like a fun game night. Why is a glass of wine bad?” And a 3rd voter supporting Trump he wrote“Trump fan here. Do you know how much most of us drink?”

Several other responses indicated a shared belief that it was time to stop insulting her. Once upon a time like this tweet read: “I wish we could let go now. There isn’t any need to keep delving into it. It isn’t any longer a part of our lives. Let her drink. She has nothing to do with us anymore.

Harris lost after garnering 71 million votes and 226 Electoral College votes compared to Trump’s support of 74 million votes and 312 electoral votes, which included each swing state.

Vice President and President Joe Biden have said there can be a peaceful transition of power despite circulating conspiracy theories.


This article was originally published on : atlantablackstar.com
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Celtics star Jayson Tatum made a $200 million move to bring the WNBA to St. Louis-Essence

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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 23: Jayson Tatum attends the Los Angeles Premiere of Netflix’s “Starting 5” on September 23, 2024 at The Egyptian Theater Hollywood in Los Angeles, California. (Photo: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic)

Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum proves that securing your bag means supporting the entire community.

Freshly secured The largest NBA contract in historyTatum reportedly intended to make a $200 million bid to move the WNBA to St. Louis – a decision that would change the landscape of girls’s skilled basketball in the Midwest.

This groundbreaking initiative comes at a pivotal time for girls’s basketball, which has seen unprecedented growth in viewership and engagement, particularly amongst Black women. For Tatum, who recently signed with historic contract value $315 million for the Celtics, this investment can be greater than just a business enterprise – it’s a chance to create lasting change in skilled sports.

To strengthen the offer, Tatum has partnered with distinguished business leaders in St. Louis, Richard Chaifetz and David Hoffmancreating a powerful team of investors committed to constructing a sustainable franchise. Their proposed home court can be the state-of-the-art Chaifetz Arena at Saint Louis University, providing a wonderful foundation for what could turn into a cornerstone of St. Louis’ sports culture. Louis.

The moment of taking this initiative is especially essential. Recent changes to WNBA regulations will now allow NBA players to take ownership stakes in teams, opening up recent opportunities for investment and representation in women’s sports. Tatum’s quick motion to seize this chance sets a compelling example for skilled athletes looking to make a significant impact of their communities.

While greater than a dozen cities are competing for a WNBA expansion team, St. Louis stands out thanks to Tatum’s vocal support and deep connections in the community. The city’s proven track record in supporting skilled sports combined with Tatum’s vision for inclusive excellence create a unique fit for the WNBA’s expansion plans.

As this story unfolds, one thing is obvious: Tatum’s potential investment offer is about greater than just adding one other team to the league – it’s about creating opportunity, inspiring the next generation and constructing a legacy that extends far beyond the basketball court. His commitment to bringing skilled women’s basketball to St. Louis represents a significant step forward in the evolution of skilled sports that would help shape the future of girls’s athletics for years to come.

This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
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Yale University will launch a course devoted to Beyoncé and her legacy

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Beyonce, Yale course on Beyonce, theGrio.com

WITH a record 99 Grammy nominations and recognized as one of the crucial influential artists in music history, pop superstar Beyoncé and her vast cultural legacy will be the topic of a recent course at Yale University next yr.

The class, titled “Beyoncé Making History: Black Radical Tradition, Culture, Theory, and Politics Through Music,” will deal with the period since her 2013 self-titled album. “Cowboy Carter” and how a world-renowned singer, songwriter and entrepreneur generated awareness and engagement with social and political ideologies.

Daphne Brooks, a professor of African-American studies at Yale University, intends to use the artist’s extensive repertoire, including recordings of her live performances, as a “portal” for college kids to study black intellectuals, from Frederick Douglass to Toni Morrison.

“We will take seriously how the critical and intellectual work of some of our greatest thinkers in American culture resonates with Beyoncé’s music and consider how we can apply their philosophies to her work,” and how at times this has been at odds with “black radical intellectual tradition,” Brooks said.

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Beyoncé, whose full name is Beyoncé Giselle Knowles-Carter, shouldn’t be the primary performer to take a college-level course. Over the years, courses have been offered on singer-songwriter Bob Dylan, and more recently, several colleges and universities have offered courses on the singer-songwriter Bob Dylan offered classes with singer Taylor Swift and its lyrics and popular culture legacy. This also applies to law professors who hope to engage a recent generation of lawyers by utilizing a famous star like Swift to give context to complex, real-world concepts.

Professors at other colleges and universities have also included Beyoncé of their courses or suggested classes in regards to the superstar.

Brooks considers Beyoncé in a league of her own, crediting the singer with using her platform to “spectacularly raise awareness of and engagement with grassroots, social and political ideologies and movements” in her music, including the Black Lives Matter movement and Black feminist commentary.

“Can you think of any other pop musician who has invited a group of grassroots activists to participate in these long-running multimedia album projects that he has been commissioning from us since 2013,” Brooks asked. She noted that Beyoncé also tried to tell a story through her music about “race, gender and sexuality in the context of the over 400-year history of enslavement of African Americans.”

“She’s a fascinating artist because historical memory, as I often call it, and the impulse to be an archive of that historical memory, is present throughout her work,” Brooks said. “You just don’t see that from any other artist.”

Brooks previously taught a well-received class on Black women in popular music culture at Princeton University and found that her students were most excited in regards to the section on Beyoncé. She expects her classes at Yale to be especially popular, but she tries to keep the category relatively small.

Those who manage to snag a spot next semester shouldn’t get their hopes up about seeing Queen Bey in person.

“It’s a real shame because if she was on tour, I would definitely try to take a class and see her,” Brooks said.

This article was originally published on : thegrio.com
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